Lately, I have noticed Carl is needing to lie down after his breakfast if he eats a simple bowl of cereal. To me, the culprit might be the milk. Is that an issue with Sinemet? I use 2%, so he tried it...still the same...same dose, same cereal...we don't drink coffee. I would appreciate any input.

Hi Jane,All is okay. Just curious when was it discovered that protein and PD medicines could be a problem?? On 7/19/2014 I posted on this board about June's weight loss and mentioned that I was giving her lots of ice cream and milk shakes. No one mentioned that there could be a problem. On the advice of her PCP and a dietician they suggested adding high protein powder to the milk shakes and also cereals with added protein, so I wondered if this interaction of protein and Sinement was just a recent discovery????

Dan, let me find the article...The article I read was actually a very good "read". It is found on the Parkinson's.org website, and the part about Sinemet and milk is on page 14. As for a date, I can't find one...

As for giving June ice cream, etc., it was a loving, caring thing to do. It may have upped her reaction to Sinemet, I don't know, I am not a doctor. But, you were trying to give her food she enjoyed at a time when keeping her eating was the priority. Don't beat yourself up. We all can only do what we think is best, given the information we have.

The site is The National Parkinson's Foundation and the article is called Nutrition Matters.

Dan, I just skimmed through "Parkinson's Disease Handbook" (putout by the A.P.D.A.) I know that this copy is at least 25 years old and it mentions "The effect of protein on absorption of levodopa has been studied When levodopa is taken with a meal rich in protein , the absorption is delayed and the levels of levodopa in the blood are reduced. Many times PCP doctors and dietitians don't know because they are only vaguely familiar with P.D. Also there is the thinking that some is better than none so if it is easier to take with ice cream at least some is getting into the patient. Also there comes a time when we say to hell with it and get a banana split! We all do the best We can with what we got at that time Dan. Jane's right don't beat yourself up with second guessing.